If there is one position the Washington Commanders are in desperate need of at the moment, it is at edge rusher.
The Commanders did not have a quality pass rushing unit last season and it kept them from truly competing in the NFC Title game – a contest they lost by over 30 points. But while Washington has looked for different ways to improve the group, no major additions have been made.
The biggest fish they may be waiting for may have given them new hope, though.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee show on Wednesday, Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson made it clear he was frustrated with the team, especially after team officials spoke out against him as he looks for a lucrative contract extension.
“Those comments from Katie Blackburn were definitely disappointing & communication has been poor over the last couple of months,” Hendrickson said. “It’s been a little bit frustrating & if they have anything they’d like to discuss we’re definitely willing to listen.”
Blackburn made it clear that the team felt Hendrickson was acting unreasonable during these negotiations. While no formal trade request has been made, things have gotten intense in Cincinnati.
And it doesn’t help that the Commanders are waiting patiently off to the side.
“When I say that communication has been poor I mean that it’s been here and there,” Hendrickson continued. “We don’t have any desire to be the highest paid and we’ve tried to be as patient as possible.”
For a player who has recorded over 34 sacks in the last two seasons, Hendrickson is well within his right to ask to be one of the highest paid defensive players in the league.
And if the Bengals won’t give him the money, a team like the Commanders could certainly do so.